Episode 28: Is Sampling Grapes Stealing? Florida Lawyers Weigh In on This Juicy Legal Question
This week on Wine by the Case: Uncorking Legal Insight One Bottle at a Time, Alexis and Chris pop open a bottle of La Granja, a vegan Spanish white wine, and dive into a question that’s as relatable as it is ridiculous:
Is sampling grapes at the grocery store technically stealing?
Joined by special guest Stefani Doncheva, the trio swirls their glasses and explores the fine line between “tasting” and “taking.” From Trader Joe’s policies 🛒 to Florida theft statutes ⚖️, they unpack how intent and value determine what crosses the legal line.
Along the way, they reveal a surprising fact — Trader Joe’s will actually open a bottle of wine for you to sample before you buy it.
The conversation is equal parts informative and hilarious, offering a perfect blend of humor, ethics, and legal know-how. Whether you’re a law nerd, wine enthusiast, or self-proclaimed “grocery grazer,” you’ll walk away with something to sip on and something to think about.
And be honest — have you ever “tested” a grape before checkout? Drop your confession in the comments.